Dec 26, 2012

Christmas Eve was so warm that when we went for a walk, we came back home sweaty and wishing we had worn shorts.

The day after Christmas, there's such a damp, bone-chilling cold that sitting in front of a portable heater I still can't warm up.

At 2:45 AM Christmas morning, something woke The Husband and I. It wasn't Santa on the roof. No creatures stirring. It was thunder and wind. And something didn't feel right. I don't know what exactly. But I felt it. Having lived in Joplin, MO for a few years, I've picked up on signs. The tangible and intangible that all point to one thing. Tornado.

The Husband turned on the TV to an alert. A tornado warning. The cell heading just to our South.

I did what I learned to do living those years in tornado alley.

Peed. And put on a bra.

Because if a tornado hits, I am NOT going to be the poor disheveled interviewed victim with no bra who needs to pee.

I sat on the couch watching the weather reports, wringing my hands. Heart racing. Shallow breathing. I didn't leave Joplin to come back home to this shit. On Christmas no less.

Around 3:15 the storm was well on us. The wind was whipping. City lights bouncing off the clouds gave me visual proof that those gut feelings were right. The way the clouds looked. The way they moved. I'd seen it before. Not good.

It passed. And no tornado touched down.

We went through a few more rounds of the same. With the same outcome. Others throughout the day would not be so lucky.

We "did presents" before 4 AM since the storms woke up The Boy. Not much sleep was had after that.

By 8:30 AM, I was loopy. Making breakfast, singing to my new Queen's Greatest Hits. And drinking the blackberry moonshine Santa left.

Good thinking, Santa.

I'd been up since before 3. 8:30 was more like mid-day, right?

We postponed Christmas dinner until the 26th since it was unsafe for anyone to travel.

Oh Michelle. I'm SO glad that you all are okay. What a scary thing to go through. I feel your pain on that crazy tornado business. Something similar happened to us last year when they said the tornadoes were headed straight for us. Somehow at the last possible minute the tornadoes went directly north and south of us and we were spared. Without a basement it's like being a sitting duck. You're better than me though. I didn't care about wearing a bra, but I did grab a coat to cover up just in case. I'm so sorry you had to go through that on Christmas. So thoughtful of Santa to bring the blackberry moonshine. I bet things got interesting after one or two sips of that! That stuff makes you feel good pretty quick.

So glad that nothing touched down near you. We had similar weather during the night. Our tradition is to have smoked salmon with scrambled eggs on English muffins and champagne but now I am going to be on the hunt for blackberry moonshine. Sounds like the breakfast of champions. Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Living in Florida, there is definitely an eerie feeling that creeps over you when a storm is dangerous. A tornado sounds likes a freight train the closer it gets-it no doubt , can scare the sh** out of you. I have filed away your advice...Pee and get a bra on. Absolutely!

Goodness, Michelle, I am so pleased that you are ok. I've never lived through a tornado, but having lived through a couple of major earthquakes and thousands of aftershocks, I totally understand that gut-wrenching, heart-racing feeling, and I totally appreciate your bra-wearing, peeing wisdom.

I think a bowl of this would be great comfort after a day like that.

Sorry it wasn't a great Christmas for you, but I wish you great things in 2013, my friend xo

So glad you are all safe. I am laughing at the bra comment. Maybe I should have peed before reading that. I hope the New Year holds lots of safe and happy memories to come! Looking forward to many great pot lucks in 2013.